This year CAMPEONES began on October 12, 2020 online, with sixteen new students in the first year of Middle School. They were all selected as a result of an interview process, as they demonstrated outstanding abilities and a keen desire to achieve higher levels of education. They are joining 14 senior students of second and third grade. They are thirsty for knowledge and the best part being that they truly want to give something back to their communities.
The Campeones (Champions) are now under the tutelage of former Campeones teacher Karina Orozco. She is a wonderful, happy and energetic teacher, who loves to work with the young. She majored in Hotel Management in Universidad Iberoamericana of Mexico City, she worked in Secretaría de Turismo del Estado de México (State of Mexico Tourism Secretary), she also spent 3 years in Canada, working and studying ESL, when she returned to Mexico, she worked for Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.
Before returning to PEACE this time around, she was in charge of the second and third generation of Campeones; during the 2015/2016 school year. They worked on different community projects such as: refurbishment of the kindergarten at Higuera Blanca, which was in need of repairs and lacked equipment. They also designed routes for public transportation from Sayulita to Punta de Mita. These projects undoubtedly helped students think for themselves and go beyond what they would typically do by following the PEACE model of ‘giving back’ to one’s community. Parents and teachers have noticed a significant difference in their children's attitudes; nowadays those Campeones are in college and will continue to become more independent and will surely begin to savour the taste of academic and social success.
The challenge for this new generation is being able to adapt to the “new normality” with a new concept of hybrid classes online and presential. The projects to come will be to provide wheelchairs and crutches to people who need them in their community, “Baby Robot” an integral project with psychologists, obstetricians and doctors to avoid premature pregnancies and; a community garden, whose objective is to show the community how to sow and harvest their own food.
Campeones is an after-school program at PEACE, created for the most talented, qualified and committed middle school students in the three communities, Emiliano Zapata, Higuera Blanca and Corral del Risco.
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